Baloch nationalism

Baloch nationalism is a movement that claims the Baloch people, an ethno-linguistic group mainly found in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan are a distinct nation. The movement propagates the view that Muslims are not a nation (the opposite of the concept behind the creation of Pakistan) and that ethnic loyalty must surpass religious loyalty, though this view has been challenged by both the 1971 independence of East Pakistan and the discrimination many Muhajir people have historically faced within Pakistan.

A group of US congressmen have expressed support for independent Balochistan, although the official policy of the US government regards the region as a Pakistani province. Texas congressman Louie Gohmert said in 2012, "Let's talk about creating a Balochistan in the southern part of Pakistan. They'll stop the IEDs and all of the weaponry coming into Afghanistan, and we got a shot to win over there."

The News International reported in 2012 that a Gallup survey conducted for DFID revealed that the majority of Baloch do not support independence from Pakistan. Only 37 percent of Baloch were in favour of independence. Amongst Balochistan's Pashtun population support for independence was even lower at 12 percent. However, a majority (67 percent) of Balochistan's population did favour greater provincial autonomy.

Baloch nationalism stems from lingual roots and is more concentrated in Brohi, Sulemani and Makrani speaking areas of province of Baluchistan. Sindhi (Jadgali Dialect), Saraiki(Khetrani dialect),Rukhshani, Dehvari, Pashto, Hazargi and Mix (Punjabi Settlers) belts population don't support Baloch Nationalism which accounts for more than 60% of population of Balochistan Province.

The Baloch nationalist movement's demands have ranged from greater cultural, economic and political rights, to political autonomy, to outright secession and the creation of an independent state of Balochistan. The movement is secular and heavily influenced by leftist Marxist ideology, like its other counterparts in other parts of Pakistan.

The movement claims to receive considerable support from the Baloch diaspora in Oman, the UAE, Sweden, Norway, and other countries. Pakistan has repeatedly made claims that the Baloch nationalists have received funding from India, although these have been denied by India.

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Wikipedia